4-Day Big Five Safari in Tanzania with Serengeti and Ngorongoro

4 Days Round trip from Arusha Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Tarangire National Park among its larger-than-life baobab trees and elephants
  • 02 Enjoy guided game drives in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Serengeti
  • 03 Look for lion prides, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and antelopes across the plains
  • 04 Descend into Ngorongoro Crater to spot black rhinos, flamingos, hyenas, and more
  • 05 Experience a 4-day Big Five safari across three of Tanzania's top wildlife destinations

Experience a tailor-made 4-day safari through Tanzania's spectacular wildlife destinations, designed to give you an unforgettable journey across Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater. This 3-night adventure offers the chance to encounter the iconic Big Five while exploring some of the country's most renowned national parks and landscapes. From baobab-dotted plains and lion strongholds to the vast Serengeti and the extraordinary Ngorongoro Crater, this safari brings together Tanzania's most celebrated wildlife experiences in one compact itinerary.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Tarangire's Baobabs and Elephant Country

Wherever you go in Tarangire National Park, you'll come across the park's famous and larger-than-life baobab trees and elephants. These are the twin elements that give this park so much personality. There is, of course, so much more. We don't just mean the huge populations of wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, baboons, vervet monkeys, and zebras, or the rugged landscape of rocky hills and rivers, swamps, and savannah plains. You also have an excellent chance of seeing lions here - Tarangire is a real lion stronghold - and keep an eye out for leopards and cheetahs as well.

  • Early Morning - Transfer by Road: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
  • Morning & Afternoon - Guided game drive: Explore fantastic Tarangire on a guided game drive that will take you out among the baobab trees to look for lions, elephants, and more.
  • Around Lunchtime - Picnic: Join us for a picnic in Tarangire National Park, where you get to eat great food while surrounded by nature.
  • Rest of Day - Guided game drive: Come and see the best of Tarangire National Park as we take you out on a guided game drive. It really is a terrific way to feel a part of Africa with the wind in your hair as we drive you around to look for animals.
  • Meal Plan - Day 1: Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge (Inside Tarangire National Park)
2
Day 02

Into the Serengeti via Ngorongoro

Welcome to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Serengeti, one of Africa's top safari destinations. While you're here, there's an excellent chance that you'll see leopards along the dry riverbanks, cheetahs out on the grasslands, and elephants, giraffes, and all kinds of antelopes everywhere across the park. Watch also for the Serengeti's famous lion prides. And that's just the start. Some of the largest and most diverse wildlife populations on the planet roam the Serengeti, not to mention millions of wildebeest and zebras that migrate across the plains every year.

  • Early Morning - Transfer by Road: Tarangire Safari Lodge via Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Serengeti National Park
  • Morning - Briefing: Ngorongoro viewpoint
  • Morning & Afternoon - Guided game drive: A guided game drive through Serengeti National Park is one of the best safari experiences you can have anywhere in Africa. Apart from the signature savannah grasslands and the park's amazing wildlife, your guide will show you all that's good about the Serengeti.
  • Around Lunchtime - Picnic: Join us for a picnic in Serengeti National Park, where you get to eat great food while surrounded by nature.
  • After lunch - Guided game drive: You'll be joining us in Serengeti National Park for a guided game drive. It's a fantastic opportunity to see some of the animals you came so far to see.
  • Late afternoon - Sunset moment: Serengeti National Park
  • Meal Plan - Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
3
Day 03

Early Morning Wildlife in the Serengeti

There's always more to discover in the Serengeti, and you'll get more chances to do so on your return to the park.

There is so much to look forward to when you go with us on an early morning game drive in the Serengeti. Along with late afternoon, it's the time of day when animals are most likely to be active. Combined with the pretty morning light, these conditions can make for some great photos. It should also be the coolest time of day for exploring.

Early Morning Game Drive, Serengeti National Park

  • Early Morning - Game drive: Your early morning game drive is a wonderful opportunity for you to see the Serengeti at its best. In the golden morning light, you'll look for animals at the ideal time of day: this is when they're most active and easiest to find and see.
  • Morning & Afternoon - Guided game drive: Come and see the best of Serengeti National Park as we take you out on a guided game drive. It really is a terrific way to feel a part of Africa with the wind in your hair as we drive you around to look for animals.
  • Around Lunchtime - Picnic: Join us for a picnic in Serengeti National Park, where you get to eat great food while surrounded by nature.
  • After lunch - Transfer: Come with us as we take you to your next destination, but we'll also go looking for wildlife along the way.
  • Any time - Relaxation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
  • Meal Plan - Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
4
Day 04

Ngorongoro Crater Big Five Finale

You never forget the first time you see Ngorongoro Crater from above. Looking out from the rim of this extraordinary volcanic crater is like gazing down upon a lost world of wildlife and astonishing beauty. The drive down into the crater will be just as special, taking you down onto the crater floor where nature rules and no human being may pass the night. You'll spend the best part of a day exploring this remarkable place, seeing its lions, hyenas, black rhinos, elephants, flamingos, and so much more. And when it comes time to leave, you'll keep looking back over your shoulder trying to hold these experiences in your memory.

This is where your safari in Tanzania will end. We hope that you have had the most fabulous trip, and we can't wait to help you plan your next safari.

  • Early Morning - Transfer by Road: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge to Ngorongoro Crater
  • Morning - Big Five show: Ngorongoro Crater
  • Morning & Afternoon - Guided game drive: You're in for one of the best safari experiences you can have on your guided game drive through Ngorongoro Crater. As you explore the crater floor, your guide will help you look for lions, black rhinos, spotted hyenas, and so much more.
  • Around Lunchtime - Picnic: Join us for a picnic in Ngorongoro Crater, where you get to eat great food while surrounded by nature.
  • After lunch - Transfer by Road: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
  • Any time - Departure: It is departure time.
  • Meal Plan - Day 4: Breakfast & Lunch
  • Accommodation: No accommodation

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Arusha 5 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All activities, unless indicated as optional
  • Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Taxes / VAT
  • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Accommodation as specified in the day-by-day section

What's Not Included

  • International flights
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Domestic flights
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

What to bring

  • Clothes: Neutral long/short-sleeve shirts, pants/shorts, fleece, rain jacket, hat, sunglasses, walking shoes, and sandals.
  • Gear: Binoculars, camera and extras, sunscreen, DEET repellent, and a water bottle.
  • Health: First-aid kit, medications, and hand sanitizer.
  • Musts: Passport, cash, power bank, and a soft bag (15-20 kg limit). Bring layers for changing temperatures.

Know before you go

  • Date to be confirmed.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
At Kilimanjaro Airport
Tour start
Arusha
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in Arusha.

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Starting from

USD 850 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,100.00 — $1,300.00
Double Sharing $950.00 — $1,000.00
Triple Sharing $850.00 — $950.00

When

Travellers

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